Psalms 142 (GNV)

Chapter Text

142:1 A Psalme of David, to give instruction, and a prayer, when he was in the cave. I cryed vnto the Lord with my voyce: with my voyce I prayed vnto the Lord.

142:2 I powred out my meditation before him, and declared mine affliction in his presence.

142:3 Though my spirit was in perplexitie in me, yet thou knewest my path: in the way wherein I walked, haue they priuily layde a snare for me.

142:4 I looked vpon my right hand, and beheld, but there was none that would knowe me: all refuge failed me, and none cared for my soule.

142:5 Then cryed I vnto thee, O Lord, and sayde, thou art mine hope, and my portion in the land of the liuing.

142:6 Hearken vnto my crye, for I am brought very lowe: deliuer me from my persecuters, for they are too strong for me.

142:7 Bring my soule out of prison, that I may prayse thy Name: then shall the righteous come about me, when thou art beneficiall vnto me.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "Spirit", "psalme", "david", "give", "instruction", "prayer", "cave", and "cryed". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "Spirit" and "psalme", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The local GNV text gives this verse as the immediate unit, so "Spirit" and "psalme" carries the first interpretive weight. In Psalms context, the local focus is worship, trust, the LORD's kingship, and covenant mercy.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "Spirit" and "psalme" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.